Formerly Elite Maternity Home – Nurse Domrow – 67 John Street, Rosewood
Photo courtesy of Spencer Yarrow
Rosewood History
HEALTH SERVICES
© Jane Schy 2024
Published 07/02/2024
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS
1863 Dr. William Henry Von Lossberg (Ipswich)
Henry arrived at Moreton Bay as surgeon-superintendent of the barque Alster on 7th August 1863 and later that month it was announced that “Mr. Henry Von Lossberg, German doctor, can be consulted, daily at Mr. M. O’Sullivan’s Private Family Boarding House, East-street, Ipswich, from 8 to 11 o’clock a.m., and from 3 to 5 o’clock p.m.” From then on he was called upon to come to Rosewood and district from Ipswich, or patients were taken to see him in Ipswich.
In 1864, Henry rode his horse to attend a sick person at Maroon. A guide accompanied him but he was left to return home by himself. On his way back to Ipswich he got lost. His horse drowned crossing a stream and he wandered through the bush for 6 days. An aboriginal boy found him sitting on a log writing his last will and testament. The boy went for help and Henry was taken to Maroon Head Station. He went home to Ipswich and was still practising 50 years later. He died in 1916.
Dr. William Henry von Lossberg – 50 years Practice in Ipswich (1913)
1879 Dr. Harry Martin Lightoller (Ipswich)
Born 1851 at The Firs, Yarrow, Chorley, Lancashire Harry was registered as a medical practitioner and began practising in Ipswich in 1879, succeeding Dr. Aspinall in a premises in East-street. He married Minnie Haley a St Paul’s Church of England the same year. In 1896 they spent 22 months in England and Germany and whist in Germany Harry devoted the whole of his time to a close study of that branch of medical science dealing with diseases peculiar to women. When he returned at the end of 1898 he and his wife moved to Brisbane where he bought the house Polmarosa, at Breakfast Creek. He died in 1921.
1880 Dr. Edward Robert Webb (Ipswich)
Born in London in 1852 he came to Queensland in 1873 and found a position as assistant Medical Superintendent at Woogaroo Assylum. He moved to Roma in 1878 returning to Ipswich in 1881 and setting up his practice. While in Ipswich he was medical adviser to the Western Star Lodge. In July 1887 he left Ipswich for the benefit of his wife’s health and moved to set up a practice in Southport. He was succeeded by Dr. Geoghegan. Edward’s wife Catherine died at Southport in August 1891 aged 38 years and Edward died in February 1892 at Gympie aged 41 years.
1897 Dr. Roderick Macdonald (Ipswich)
Born 1861 in South Uist, Inverness-Shire, Scotland, Roderick was a graduate of the Glasgow University. He married Louisa Maria Wilson in 1893 and practised at Ipswich for a short time until 1895 when he set up practice in Murwillumbah, becoming interested in pastoral properties. He returned in 1897 and continued working from his home at 37 East Street, Ipswich, in partnership with his nephew Dr. Mervyn Patterson. He had built up an enviable medical reputation before the Great War, and immediately enlisted and was one of the original members of the Australian General Hospitals. He had a distinguished record of service with the Australian Forces serving in Egypt and on Gallipoli, achieving the ranks of Colonel. Dr. Macdonald also became a prominent breeder of stud cattle, sheep and horses. Before he died in Brisbane in 1940 aged 78 years, he had been medical officer at Redbank camp.
Jan 1907-1909 Dr. Arthur Anderson (Rosewood)
Only son of the Under Secretary for Education Mr. J. G. Anderson and Harriet Lucille nee Nelson. Arthur started his practice at Rosewood in March 1907, after being in London in Edinburgh for two years.
Oct 1909-July 1911 Dr. Thomas Percy Allen (Rosewood)
He sold his practice to Dr. Caldwell.
Aug 1911-Jan 1912 Dr. Thomas Cathcart Caldwell (Rosewood)
Dr. Thomas Cathcart Caldwell, MD., ChM, Edin, D.P.H., Edinburgh and Glasgow, D.T. M., University, Liverpool. He had a brilliant university career, and after serving as a medical officer in the South African war, entered the service of the Colonial Government. He came to Queensland in the year 1910, and after a short period in private practice, he joined the staff of the Mental Hospital at Goodna, having also the right of private practice. He was very popular locally and highly valued because of his skill and engaging personality. He left Rosewood for Brisbane on 8th January 1912.
Jan 1912-Aug 1913 Dr. Wermert Wittrock (Rosewood)
A veteran medical practitioner who was unmarried and well known in many German communities. He was born in Germany in 1854 and received his medical training there. He came to Australia as a comparatively young man and for many years practised at Beenleigh where he was known as a thorough medical man of the old school. He moved to Goombungee and also practised at several other country centres in Queensland. Despite his advancing years, Dr. Wittrock travelled widely and several times visited Germany and other Continental countries, as well as seeing a great part of Australia.
October 1914–January 1915 Dr. Herbert Grindell Hurrey (Resided in Rosewood)
1912-1940 Dr. Robert Wallace M.D. Ch.B. (John Street, Rosewood)
Robert Wallace was born in Ibrox, Govan, Scotland and was a graduate of Glasgow University. After practising in several North Queensland towns he came to Rosewood where he practised in for 24 years until his death in 1936 aged 60 years. His wife Sarah nee Wilson, who died in 1928, was a nurse before their marriage. Their daughter Mary Ellen was also a nurse. Their son, Dr Robert Wallace jnr, worked in the practice in Rosewood and carried on for a while after his father died. (1936-May 1940 when he went to Melbourne.)
1941-1949 Dr. Cooney and Dr. Saxby visited twice per week from Ipswich.
1950-1964 Dr. Kenneth Thomas Rawle (73 Matthew Street, Rosewood)
Kenneth completed his medical degree at the Sydney University and went on to finish his internship at the Brisbane Mater Hospital. He came to Rosewood and lived at the Rising Sun Hotel. Ken married in Sydney in November 1950 and bought his wife Marie Joyce nee Richards home to a house at 31 Matthew Street. In 1958 they moved further up the street to a new home they’d built at 73 Matthew Street (later the home of Isabella Kearsley). He had a fine singing voice and would give his rendition of “Making Whoopee” at concerts. Dr. Rawle went back to Sydney. He died in 2011 aged 87 years.
1969 Dr. Emlyn Owen Parry Jones (Rosewood)
1969 Dr. Charles India Stevenson (surgery in John Street)
HEALTH OFFICER/INSPECTOR
1880 Dr. E. R. Webb – Government Medical Officer, Ipswich
July 1887 Dr. William Henry Von Lossberg was appointed Government Medical Officer at Ipswich, a position he still occupied in 1913.
1902 John O’Shea was appointed as clerk and overseer and health inspector for Rosewood.
February 1904 Rosewood Shire Council reappointed John O’Shea as clerk and overseer at £100 a year, and health inspector at £1 a month.
October 1909 Dr. Thomas Percy Allen – Medical Officer of Health
Aug 1911-Jan 1912 Dr. Thomas Cathcart Caldwell – Medical Officer of Health
March 1917 Dr. Robert Wallace was appointed health officer for Divisions 1, 2, and 3, and Dr. Sirois (Marburg) for Division No 4.
January 1925 Dr. Herbert Bradford, the newly-appointed health inspector for the joint areas of Rosewood, Laidley, and Tarampa Shires, arrived to take up his residence in Rosewood, and commenced duties.
March 1927 Dr Bradford was appointed to Bowen Council. Dr. R. A. Ditton of Cairns was appointed in his stead.
July 1949 With the amalgamation of shires Mr. Ditton was appointed Health Inspector for Laidley and Gatton, and Rosewood was taken over by Moreton’s Health Inspector Mr. C. E. Jenkinson.
ROSEWOOD BABY CLINIC
Established April 1935 – The Rosewood sub-centre of the Ipswich Baby Clinic opened in the C.W.A. rest room. Sister Todd was in charge. Thirteen attended on the first day. The C.W.A. was responsible for the extension of the clinic to Rosewood.
Prior to this…
On 7th April 1930 the Travelling Baby Clinic and Children’s Welfare Car arrived in Rosewood in the charge of Nurses Mee and Black. A welcome was extended to them on their arrival by Councillor F. J. W. Eichstadt (chairman of the Rosewood Shire Council). Miss M. Loveday (president of the Country Women’s Association) also spoke. Several members of the Rosewood branch of the C. W. A. were present and entertained the visitors to morning tea, after which, an inspection was made of the car.
In October 1934 Dr. Jefferis Turner, Director of Child Welfare, was in Rosewood to propose to work the baby clinic from Ipswich, and a nurse would visit Rosewood one day a week. The C.W.A. Rest Room was to be placed at the disposal of the authorities.
NURSES
Mrs Hermine Kapernick 1906, 1909, Tallegalla then Rosewood
Katharina Kucks 1911, 1917 (Ladies’ Nurse), Rosewood
Henrietta Adeline Muller 1912, 1914, Rosewood
Augusta Wilhelmine Domrow 1910-1954 Rosewood
Augusta Phyllis Stubbs 1914, 1917, Mt Walker. 1919-1920 then 1925 -1947 at John Street, Rosewood
Nurse Mary Doonan, Rosewood (later became Matron of Woogaroo Asylum)
Ellen Tier, 1915, Rosewood
May Christina Josephine Hodder 1917, Rosewood (Midwifery Nurse)
Annie Elizabeth Hines (née Kucks) 1918-1925, Rosewood
Nurse Sarah Johns 1921, Rosewood
Mary Ellen Bow 1928, 1932, Rosewood
Mary Ellen Wallace 1936, Rosewood
Nurse C. Hazard 1924, Rosewood
Nurse Pedrazzini , Matthew Street, Rosewood
Kathleen Ryan 1928, 1934 Mt Walker West
Edna May Armstrong 1939, 1941 Hillgrove, Rosewood
Fay Reilly, Rosewood – Graduated December 1951(St Vincent’s Hospital Toowoomba)
Bertha Winifred Burgess 1958 Matthew Street, Rosewood
PRIVATE HOSPITALS
Dr. T. P. Allen’s private hospital, Rosewood 1910-1911
Mrs. L. Miller’s private hospital, Tallegalla – 1907, 1908
Mrs Henrietta Adelina Muller’s private hospital, Rosewood 1911-1914
St Florence Hospital – Ladies’ Nurse, Katharina Kucks, opened a nursing home from September 1911 at 45 John Street (pictured above).
Katharina Kucks died on 26th December 1917. Her daughter, Nurse Annie Elizabeth Hines, came from Sandy Gallop hospital in Ipswich to help her mother in the months before she died, and took over the running of the hospital in 1918.
In March 1919, Nurse Hines, who had previously been running a lying-in hospital at 45 John Street, moved her nursing home to 12 Albert Street (pictured above).
St. Kilda Hospital – Nurse Augusta Stubbs opened a nursing home from 2nd May 1919-October 1920 in the house previously occupied by Nurse Annie Hines at 45 John Street.
Nurse Hines moved St Florence Hospital back to 45 John Street in November 1920 and stayed until 1925. The last birth at St Florence was on 14th January 1925. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Eder named Maurice Garnet Elder. Nurse Hines and Dr. Robert Wallace were in attendance.
Here is another notice from the Rosewood Register and Marburg Mail, 22 April 1921.
Nurse Augusta Stubbs moved back into 45 John Street in 1925 and reopened St Kilda Hospital. It closed in 1947.
This is possibly the first birth at St Kilda in 1925. On the 6th April 1925, at St. Kilda’s Private Hospital, Rosewood, to Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Wendt – A daughter (Vera May.)
Nurse Domrow’s Private Hospital or Weeroona Nursing Home 1911-1925. (Nurse Augusta Wilhelmina Domrow) The name changed to Elite Maternity Home from 1925. It was located at 67 John Street, Rosewood (pictured above).
Augusta Wilhelmina Domrow started practicing as a nurse in 1910. Over the years mothers and others received her attention, and the Catholic Advocate of May 1929 stated, nothing but the highest gratitude and praise was extended to her for the considerate and skilful service she rendered to every patient coming under her charge. Sir Gordon William Wesley Chalk was one of the babies born at Weeroona Nursing Home on 16th May 1913, and it and it is believed that baby Gordon used the cot pictured below.
ROSEWOOD EPIDEMIC HOSPITAL
The Rosewood Epidemic Hospital, a hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases, opened in Hospital Road in 1912. It closed in July 1919 and opened again in August because of the return of a number of cases of pneumonic influenza in the community. The school was closed and the Rosewood Show was abandoned that year. In May, Miss Margaret Evelyn Farrell, daughter of Michael Joseph and Mary Ellen Farrell (nee Sloane) died as a result of pneumonic influenza aged 25 years. She had been a staff member at the Brisbane Telephone Exchange. The epidemic hospital, which had been under the charge of Nurse Clara Hazard (former A.A.N.S and Matron of Laidley Hospital), closed at the end of 1924 and future patients were treated in Ipswich.
CHEMISTS
Joseph William Evans, J. C. Tomlin, Frank B. Tomlin, Gertrude Brooks, J. A. Wilson, R. Shewan (Allen’s Pharmacy), Gerald Nolan, Joseph Anselm Wilson, Hugh Joseph McGukin, Kevin Patrick Warlow, Norman Frederick Coote.
DENTISTS
1881 Joseph William Evans, Chemist and Dentist
1893 George T. Rose closed his Ipswich practice and moved to Brisbane. Prior to this he had visited Rosewood and other country towns.
1905 W. H. Bunnett – Brisbane Street, Ipswich. Visited on Saturday afternoon at Hodge’s Hotel.
1907 Knight L. Barnett X.L.D.Q. from Ipswich. First visit Tuesday 22 October. After that 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.
1907 Malcolm Campbell visited Rosewood and worked in the Pender building, John Street, until it burnt down in 1914. He was still visiting in 1916.
Malcolm Mcdonald Campbell, studied in Ipswich and finished his training with Dr. Marshall at the Sydney Dental Hospital. Malcolm passed with honours and returned to Ipswich and opened a practice. He was immediately successful. Malcolm was also one of the best all round cricketers in West Moreton. He was the first Ipswich young man to represent Queensland against New South Wales, for which he gained his Queensland cap.
The photo below was taken in 1910.
1915 –1932 Hugh Joseph McGukin Ph.C. L.D.Q.
Born at Swan Creek, near Warwick, he studied at pharmacy and dental colleges in Brisbane. In his early life he conducted businesses at Killarney, Warwick and Redcliffe.
1937–1968 Walter Patrick Grealy was born 31/01/1911 to Louis Joseph Grealy and Frances Josephine Walter. He matriculated from Queensland University (Bachelor of Dentistry BDSc). Captain W. P. Grealy served during WW2 from August 1942 to June 1946, some of which he spent with 77 Dental Unit in New Guinea. He enlisted in Ipswich aged 31 years an 4 months.
Walter opened his own practice in Nicholas Street, Ipswich in August 1941 and practised in Ipswich and Rosewood. He married Margaret Mary Rita Doherty 08/04/1947 at St Mary Immaculate Church, Ipswich Road Annerley. They first lived in Albert Street, Rosewood, later moving to Matthew Street. They had a daughter and two sons. Like his father, Wally was an avid cricket fan and he played in the local team.
Walter Grealy’s surgery was inside Gertrude Book’s chemist shop in John Street, Rosewood He also had a surgery above the newsagent and one in Albert Street for a while. He died in 1970 and is interred at Mount Gravatt Cemetery.